Irvine Vics let Saltcoats off the hook in basement battle stalemate, claims Dougie MacDuff

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Frustrated Dougie MacDuff accused his Irvine Vics side of letting Saltcoats off the hook again after Saturday's Conference A basement battle ended in a 1-1 stalemate.The Westenders had home advantage as they looked to get off the bottom of the table and avenge a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture back in August.They made a dream start when Ciaran Walsh headed them into the lead after just 90 seconds.But they passed up a number of gilt-edged chances in a dominant first half and were made to pay for their wastefulness when Ally Patrick headed home an equaliser with 20 minutes to go.The same player came almost snatched Saltcoats victory at the death when he glanced another header inches wide of the target.And MacDuff insisted his players would have only had themselves to blame if they'd lost as he blasted sloppiness at both ends of the park.He said: "I'm scunnered.

We score and then create six clear-cut chances including three one-on-ones with the goalkeeper and can't take any of them."It's not the first time that's happened this season and it's not good enough."We get in at half-time and I decide not to be heavy handed with the players.

The message was to relax and just go out and enjoy themselves."But we weren't anywhere near as good in the second half. We huffed and puffed but that was about it."Their goal was hugely disappointing.

The players had been well warned about Ally Patrick's threat at set-pieces."The instruction was to double up on him but twice we failed to do that and in the end we were fortunate to only get punished once."I can't believe we've only managed to take one point against Saltcoats this season.